We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eva Solomon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eva , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a time you helped a customer really get an amazing result through their work with you.

From one of our participants:

Last year in early May, I was seeing a physical therapist friend of mine (Sherry McLaughlin) for some nagging hip pain. We were nearing the end of treatment, trying to determine what I could do after discharge. In the midst of doing my PT exercises one day, she announces, “I think you should train for a triathlon!” After asking her if I could have some of the drugs she must have been on to suggest something like that, <just kidding>, I gave it some thought. About 3 days later I decided that she might actually be onto something. The next appointment I had with her, I told her that I had signed up for the Tri Goddess Duathlon. I figured with the lingering hip pain and a total knee replacement, as well, that I could at least walk the “running” segments. The cycling would be a non-issue since I’ve been a cyclist for 30 years. Being a newbie, I didn’t know how to train for the event but, I surprised myself when I attempted to jog during the event and felt little, if any, pain. I finished the event in 2:04:00, last in my age group (45-49), but at least I finished! I found out why my friend had suggested such a crazy idea…I was hooked!!

I began my journey into multisport events at 210 pounds. After participating in the Iron Goddess Duathlon, the Sylvania Triathlon, and even the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon(!!!!) and completing 1300 cycling and 140 running miles in 2010, this brings us to this season’s Tri Goddess Tri. I have signed up for the duathlon again this year to be able to make some comparisons to last years time. However, this year, I weigh only 145 pounds, with over 750 cycling & 70 running miles already logged in the books for 2011, I believe that I won’t have any problems improving my time over last years event.

The cool thing is that Sherry, my friend that challenged me to step out of my comfort zone, will be participating in the Sprint distance of the Tri Goddess Tri this year. Although I would never have classified myself as a couch potato, I wouldn’t have said I was an athlete either. I would have never expected to become a competitive athlete with such a simple suggestion…guess all we have to do is “Tri”, huh?

Thanks for letting me share my story!
Laura Fluke

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Triathlon and endurance racing has been a tremendous part of my adult life. It is where I have found fun, fitness, and friendships. In 2008, I saw the need for a women-only triathlon in the state of Michigan. I made some calls, figured it out, and created the first-ever all-women triathlon in Michigan. 500 women of all levels of fitness, different backgrounds, and all ages showed up to do the She Rocks (now Tri Goddess Tri).

They loved it and asked for more, and since that time, Epic Races has produced over 100 well-organized, fun, and inclusive multi-sport and endurance events that appeal to beginner through elite athletes, raise money and awareness for important causes and make each participant feel like a champion.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Our personal touch and personal service has helped build our reputation in the endurance events industry. We are there for our participants from the day they sign up through the finish line. All emails and phone calls are answered by a live person to help them through every step of the way.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

March of 2020 we were set to put on 3 large events, one being the Ann Arbor Marathon. We had heard about Covid-19, but didn’t understand what that really meant. People asked if we were going to cancel our events. That wasn’t even a consideration – until we had no choice. There was no way to be prepared for this and we had some quick decisions to make. We could not offer refunds as the money was spent. We gave participants several options, one being to race virtually. We had offered some virtual races in the past, but to a select group who were seeking these types of races.

Needless to say, we faced quite a bit of resistance, but it didn’t take long for many to realize this was the new normal. Soon after, endurance events all over the world were canceling events and going virtual. I feel we helped pave the way for this.

We spent the next 16 months offering innovative and creative virtual races and were able to stay in business.

Virtual racing continues to be an option for most of our events.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.epicraces.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicraces/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/epicracesevents
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-solomon-8775159/
• Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-solomon-8775159/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZy0CDaqrieN2H-bojjgUcQ